Car washer



Au. 7, 1934. J. BLACKHALL ET AL CAR WASHER Filed July 20. 1951 5Sheets-Sheet 1 J. R. BL-ACKHALL ET AL l,968 ,98 6

CARWASHER Filed July 20. 1931 5 Sheets-She et 2 1934- J. R. BLACKHALL ETAL 1,968,986

GAR WASHER Filed July 20, 1931 '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 7, 1934UNITED STATES PATENr OFFICE can WASHER Application July 20, 1931, SerialNo. 551,938

3 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines, and with regard to certainmore specific features, to car-washing machines for railways and thelike.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision ofan improvement in the car-washing machine described in the patentto H.Cordell et al., No. 1,783,074, issued November 25, 1930; the provisionof a car-washing machine of the class described which is readilyadjustable to equipment to be cleaned,

and which is adapted to wash "cars passing through the machine fromeither of two directions; and, the provision of a car washer of theclass described which is provided with improved brush assembly features,and which is simple, rugged in mechanical design. Other objects will bein part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. l

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structure hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

1n the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, showing the invention in use on a railwaycar and showing in clotted lines an alternative position of .part of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the washer showing in dotted lines analternative position of part of the invention and also showing in dottedlines a position which a railway car assumes as it is being washed;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1,and'showing alternative positions of a spring operated drum segment;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1 showing certainadjustable arms; I

. Fig. 6 is .a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing themountingof a brush on a shaft; Fig. 7 is a detail view of certaincollars adapted to secure said brush;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of Fig. 6 showing a nut and collar removed.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1,

there is illustrated at numeral 1 a railway car adapted to be washed. Itis to be understood that the type of car is not important, and that thefeatures of this invention may be adapted to other types of vehicles.

The track 3 along which the vehicle 1 may move crosses a suitable rack5, said rack including a drain 7 for carrying 011 waste water and thelike. Mounted on each side of the rack'5 is a washing unit 9. Theseunits 9 are identical in structure and the details of a description ofone of them will suffice for both, the numerals used in describingeither being applied to both in the drawings. As shown in Fig. 2 themachine at the one side of the rack 5 is in the alternative positionwhich the machine on the other side of ,the rack may assume and viceversa. V Each washing unit 9 comprises a stationary frame 11. Supportedvertically and rotatably within said stationary frame is a supportingshaft 13 which forms part of a movable primary framework 15. Thisprimary framework 15 comprises said shaft 13 and lower and upperbrackets 17 and 19,

reaching outwardly to, and supporting a main brush shaft 21, the latterbeing also vertically located. At the upper end of the brush shaft 21are located a bearing 23, a short brush 25 for washing an upper panel ofthe sprocket 27 for a chain 29, the use be set out.

At the lower end of the main brush shaft 21 is located a brush 31 forwashing-the lower panel of the car 1, and below thisbrush 31, near thesupporting bearing of the brush shaft is carried a bevel gear 33. Abeveled pinion 37 meshes with the bevel gear 33. The pinion 37 and thegear 33 are located in a suitable protecting house 39. The pinion 37 isconnected with the drive shaft 41 of a motor 43, also located on saidsecondary framework 15, the motor 43 being also located in a suitableprotecting housing 45. The shaft 13, brackets 17 and 19, main brushshaft 21 with its sprockets and the motor 43 with its drive are alladapted to swing as a unit about the center line of said shaft 13. Theshaft 13, as shown in Fig. 1 is supported by the bearings 137, 139 and141, the bearing 139 being supported by a channel piece 193. A drumsegment 151 is keyed to the lower end of v the shaft 13 and springs 153and 155 (Figs. 3 and 4), connected with the segment 151 by means ofcables, and connected with the frame 11', as shown at numerals 157 and159 respectively, areadapted of which will car 1 and a to normally tendto keep the segment 151 in a position which will hold the frame 15 atright angles to the plane of the frame 11. As indicated at numerals 157and 159 the tension of the springs 153 and 155 is adjustable. As shownat numerals 158 and 161 (Figs; 1 and 4) the braces 17 and 19 areadjustable on the shaft 13 in either an axial or rotational direction.

The brushes 25 and 31 'are resiliently pressed against the sides of thecar. 1 by the reaction of either the spring 153 or 155 as the case maybe. The primary frame 15 may be swung either to the right or to the leftend of the frame 11, and accordinglythe brushes may scrub a car comingfrom either direction if so properly swung. If the car 1 is entering thecar washing machine from the left hand end of the frame 11, Fig. 1, theprimary frame 15 will be swung to the right, and the spring 155 placedin tension to resiliently hold the brushes 25 and 31 against the carframe, and at the same time the spring 153 will be.relaxed. If the car 1enters from the right hand end of the frame 11, dotted line positionFig. 1, the primary frame 15 is swung to the left or counterclockwiseand the spring 153 is put in tension to resiliently hold the brushes 25and 31 against the side of the car.

By this arrangement the motor is adapted to rotate the brushes 25 and 31and said brushes are at the same time swingable either to the right orto the left around the center line of the shaft 13, and in eitherposition are resiliently pressed against the sides of, the car.

In order that the primary framework 15 may be withdrawn from the carinto a position permitting free movement of the car without washing,there is provided-a chain 53 fastened to said primary framework 15 andadapted to be fastened at either notch 55 or 56 associated with parts 57and 58 respectively on the framework 11. A hand grip 59 permits themanipulation of this chain in said notches 55 and 56. Inasmuch as thechain may be hooked in at any relative position with respect to thenotches, it provides a means for setting the brushes 25, 31 in any oneof their angular positionswith respect to the frame 11.

Another, secondary, framework 61 is. swingably supported on said primaryframework 15,

for swingably mounting a window brush 63.

The window, brush 63 is adapted to wash the usually depressed windows ofthe car 1. The frame 61 is arranged as follows:

Lower and upper brackets 65 and 67 respectively are rigidly fastened tothe supporting shaft 13 and swing therewith.

The upper bracket carries a thrust bearing 69 rotatably supporting aswing shaft 71, the latter carrying a sprocket 73' at the upper endthereof for meshing with said chain 29 leading from the sprocket 27 onthe main brush shaft 21. Thus the chain 29 transmits rotary motion fromthe brush shaft 21 to the swing shaft 71.

As shown in Fig. 8 the brackets 65 and 67 are provided with takeup shims215 whereby-the distance between the two shafts 71 and 21 may beadjusted and thus the tension in the chain 29 may be varied.

The secondary framework 61 is. adjustable on said shaft 71, verticallyin order to adapt the window brush 63 to the various window heights onthe various types of rolling stock to which it may be applied. In orderto accomplish this, there is provided the lower swing shaft bracket 65(Fig. 8). This bracket 65 rotatably supports a handcrank 75 the latterbeing connected for rotation with a pinion 77 mounted on a shaft 76. Thecrank 75 is mountable on either end of the shaft 76 and, as shown in thedotted line position of Fig. 8, it is mounted on the reverse side of theshaft 76 in the event that the frame 61 is turned to its alternativeposition. 1 The pinion 77 meshes with a rack 79 fastened to a movablesleeve 81. The sleeve 81 is slidable vertically in the bracket 65. It isalso slidably mounted over the swing shaft 71.

The sleeve .81 supports a lower bracket 74 of the frame 61 through asuitable bearing (not shown). The member 74 is relatively rotatable withrespect to the sleeve 81 and shaft 71, and is adapted to be adjusted inelevation by manipulation of the hand crank 75. The bracket 65 is splitso that the sleeve 81 may be clamped by screwing up on a cap screw 88,that is, after an adjustment has beenmade The secondary framework 61includes said member 74 and upper member 89 corresponding thereto foraiding and supporting said secondary and swingable frame 61. Associatedwith the member 89 is a sprocket 91 which is splined to the swing shaft71 for rotation therewith and slidable motion therealong. A chain 93meshes with this sprocket 91. The chain 93 reaches outwardly to a secondsprocket 95 located on the shaft 97 of said brush 63. The shaft 97 ofthe brush 63 is located with a* suitable upper and lower bearing on saidsecondary frame 61.

A chain 99, similar to the chain 53, is adapted to be secured in notches163 and 165 to control the movement of the secondary frame 61, in itsalternative positions. The chain 99 also has a handle 59.

The brush 63 is resiliently held against the windows of the car 1 as thecar passes through the machine from either its left or right endrespectively by springs171and 189, which are commonly secured at a shaft167 of the secondary-frame61 (Figs. 2 and 5). The other ends of thesprings 171 and 169 are respectively joined to extension arms 175 and173 which in turn are respectively joined to opposite ends of a bar 177which is keyed to the shaft'13 and turns therewith. The extension pieces175 and 173 are joined to the bar 177 by pins 179 which are adapted toslide in but are not removable from slots 181.

Pins 183 on the two extension arms so positioned the extension arms 173and 175 are firmly secured to the bar 177, but when the pins 183 are notso seated in the slots or notches 185,

the extension arms 173 and 175 are collapsible in the plane of said bar177.

When the frame 61 is swung to its right hand position, the bar 175 isrigidly connected with the bar 177 by seating its pin 183 in therespective slot 185, whereby the spring 171' under tension resilientlyholds the brush 63 against the windows of the car 1. At this time theextension arm 173 is preferably collapsed by unseating its pin 183,which unseating is effected by rotating the arm 173 about the pin 179,until the pin 183 is free from its slot 185, and then pulling the arm173 away from the shaft 13, whereby the pin 179 slides along the slot181 and as the pin 183 is pulled out beyond the bar 177 the arm 173 isfree to rotate about its pin 179 as a center. In this way the tension onthe spring 169 is released while the tension in the spring 171 ismaintained.

alternative position ofthe bars 173 and 175 and of he springs 171 and169 is effected.

The operation of the mechanism as follows: Assuming that the car 1 isbeing run into position between the frameworks 11 from the left,

the motor 43 is )turned on. It drives the main brushes 25 and 31 on themain brush shaft 21 by way'of the bevel gear train 37, 33. The mainbrush shaft 21 in turn drives the swing shaft 71.

' semi-circular The swing shaft 71 has a fixed relationship with brushshaft 21 and the shaft 13. The reason for this is that all of the shafts13. 71 and 21 form part of a rigid structure providing the same angularmovement of shafts 13, 71 and 21..

The shaft 71 being drlven from shaft 21 by said chain 29 in turn drivesthe secondary brush respect to the 'shaft 97 by way of the chain 93.This drive maybeeifected at any of the angular positions of the brush 63with respect/ to the secondary frame 15, because the brush shaft 97swings around the center line To contact the brushes 25, 31 and 63 withthe surface of the car, the chains 53 and 99 are fed out so that thenormal reactions'of the springs 155 and 171 cause the brushes to beresiliently pressed against the sides and windows of the car 1.

In order to effect the proper adjustment ofthe window brush 63, thescrew 88 isloosened and by means of the hand crank 75, the properelevation is obtained. The screw 88 is then again re-tightened.

If now it is desirable to change the operation so that the car may enterfrom the right hand side, it is only-necessary to rotate the primaryframe 15 about the shaft 13 as a center. At the same time the arm 175 iscollapsed and the arm 173 is rigidly secured to the arm 177 by seatingthe pin 183 in the notch 185. Thus the springs 153 and 169 are adaptedto effect the resilient pressure of the brushes onthe sides of the car.At this time the crank 75 is shifted to its alternative position on theshaft 76.

After the car has been cleaned, all of the brushes may be retracted, bydrawing in the' chains 99 and 53. be drawn so that 31, or 63 may be car1 passes.

In order to facilitate rapid andsimplified replacement of the brushes ofthe machine they Or, either of said chains may either set of brushes 25and made to operate alone as the are removably mounted on their shafts.Thus the window portionj63 is formed into two sections 203, and eachsection is axially split into identical halves 204 and 205, (Fig. 9)andthe halves are mounted of collars or washers 207, 209 and' 211and-the nut 213- (Figs. 6 and .7). The end collars 207 and 211 each havea conically shaped bore 208 in one end and the collar 209 has such a.bore at each end. The ends of the halves 204 and 205 have semi-circulargrooves 210 which are shaped similarly to the bores 208 but are theinverse thereof. Furthermore, the slope of the sides 212'of the grooves210 is of a slightly different degree than that of the correspondingsides of the bores 208. Each half also has a axial groove 214extending-longitudinally therein which is adapted to receive, one-halfof the shaft 97. v1. Thus'when two halves 204 and 205 arejuxtapositioned, (Fig. 9), the

'204 and 205 The new'halves maythen be assmbled in'place of the swingshaft 71.

on the shaft 97 by means grooves 208 forr'n form an axial'passage'forthe shaft 97. The bottom collar 207 ispinned to the shaft97.

To assemble or replace the brush 63, it is only necessary to loosen thenut 213 and lift collar 211. The upper halves 204 and 205 of top section203 can-then be removed and then-the collar 209 is lifted which releasesthe lower halves of lower'section 203 of brush 63.

of the old halves. remove the shaft 97 An advantage of hereindescribed,rises in the cooperationof the scrubbing action of the brushes and thecleaning action of liquid from spraying devices which are verticallyarranged; in sets of spray nozzles which are shown at numerals 195 and196. Inasmuch as the spraying action of the nozzles and cleaning actionof the brushes in combination with the spray is completely described inthe aforementioned patent to H. Cordell et al.,"is notdeemed necessaryto describe ;it in this invention. 1 v

Themanipulation of Thus it is not necessary to to replace the brush 63.

the spraying apparatus the car washing machinea bore and thegrooves' 214has been improved. .Two sets of nozzles 19'6 and' 195 are extended areused when the frame 15 is swung to its right hand position and thenozzles 195 when the frame 15, is swung to its left hand position. ,Thepipes 188 and 186 are connected to their respective main suppliesthrough swivel joints 197, and are all connected together by a leveragemechanism 200 in such a way thatthe signal movement of the mechanism 200is adapted to swing all of the nozzles 196 back out of the line ofclearance of the cars and/or to adjust the direction of the nozzle formost effective work. Thus as the car 1 runs,thr0ugh the apparatuspressure spray of dirt removing liquid on' its sides and windowsfrom'the nozzles 196 of the pipe 186. This area. then runs through thebrushes where more water is added from supplementary spraying nozzles196 connected with pipes 188. This latter spray also serves for rinsingpurposes. Y 1

The pipes 189 and 190, having nozzles 195, and operable by the mechanism199 are adapted to supply the spray when the car 1 goes by the washerfrom the righ The ease with which the nozzles 195 and 196 may thus bedirected by the respective mechanisms 199 and 200 is effective inspeeding up the operation of -the machine and in increasing theefficiency of the nozzles themselves.

.machine, it can be run back directly without first switching it back toagain enter the same end of the machine. In this way the whole carwashing operation has been greatly simplified from pipes 186 and 188-and 189 and 190 respectively. The nozzles 196 from the left-'(Fig. 2),it first receives a high In view of the above, it will be seen that theseveral objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageousresults attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out'the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting'sense.

We claim: 1

l. A washer for cars which move along a path in either of twodirections, comprising a brush-carrying frame pivoted substantiallyalongside of the path of the cars, said brushcarrying frame beingsubstantially perpendicular to and havinga neutral position extendinginto the path of the cars,'said frame being swingable to both sides ofthe neutral position, means urging said frame towards said neutralposition when said frame is moved from said neutral position by thecars, and a rotary brush positioned substantially at the end of saidframe.

2. A washer for cars which move along a path in either of twodirections, comprising a stationary frame alongside the path of thecars, a primary brush-carrying frame pivoted substantially vertically insaid stationary frame and also alongside the path of said cars, saidprimary brush-carrying frame having a neutral position extending intothe path of the cars, said primary frame being swingable to both sidesof a neutral position, means urging said irame towards said neutralposition when said frame is moved from said neutral position by at theend of said ver'tically secondary frame the arc the cars, a rotary brushpositioned substantially frame, and a' secondary brush-carrying framepivoted substantially to said primary frame, a brush on said secondaryframe the arc of swing of the end of which is inside of said brush onsaid primary frame but which intersects the line of travel of the cars,and means yieldingly urging the secondary frame to a position whereinthe brush thereon will contact the cars.

3. 'Aowasher for cars which move along a path in either of twodirections, comprising a stationary frame alongside the path of thecars, a primary brush-carrying frame pivoted substantially vertically insaid stationary frame and also alongside the path of said-cars, saidprimary brush-carrying frame having a neutral position extending intothe path oi the cars, saidprimary frame being swingable to both sides ofa neutral position, means urging said irame towards said neutralposition when said frame is moved froxnsaid neutral position by thecars, a rotary brush positioned substantially at the end or said frame,-and a secondary brush-carrying frame pivoted substantially ver ticallyto said primary frame, a brush on said of swing of the end of which isinside of said brush on said primary frame but which intersects the lineof travel of the cars, and means yieldingly urging the secondary frameto a position wherein the brush thereon will contact the cars, saidlastnamecl means being manually operable to efiect independent urgesadapted: to effect contact with cars passing in either direction.

JOHN ROBERT BLACIWAU-n.

HENRY CORDEIL.

MED

